7:15 A.M. – 8:30 A.M.

Breakfast

8:45 A.M. – 9:00 A.M.

Opening Remarks

Speaker:

• Bethany Heins, Best Friends Animal Society and Animal Grantmakers Board President

9:00 A.M. – 10:15 A.M.

Animal "Unwantedness"

Join professor Bob Fischer as he lively explores ethical frameworks for weighing animal welfare across species, followed by the "Unwantedness Panel" examining our choices about which animals we offer protection—from those in labs to ones living among us in cities, and from animals threatened with extinction to those hidden in factory farms.

Speakers:

• Bob Fischer, Texas State University and Rethink Priorities
• Rebecca (Bec) Gooley, Conservation Scientist
• Decli Winders, Vermont Law and Graduate School

10:15 A.M. – 10:30 A.M.

Break

10:30 A.M. – 11:45 A.M.
Working with Municipalities and Elected Officials in Various Countries to Elevate Animal Welfare

In this international session, panelists from several different countries will discuss working with local authorities and more broadly situating animal welfare work in human behavior change to reach outside the animal welfare “bubble." 

Speakers:

• Mike Dower, Jai Dog Rescue (Thailand)
• Patrick Gerard, International Companion Animal Management Coalition (International; United Kingdom-based)

11:45 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.

Fourth Annual Melanie Anderson Lifetime Excellence in Animal Protection (LEAP) Award

The Melanie Anderson LEAP Award was established by the Summerlee Foundation and Animal Grantmakers in 2022 to honor Melanie Anderson, Summerlee’s director of animal programs for 32 years. Geared toward lifetime achievement, it is given every fall at the Animal Grantmakers Conference to an animal advocate who has made a substantial and sustained contribution to the field of animal protection.

Award Presenter:

• Jill Hoffman, Animal Grantmakers (Consultant)

12:00 P.M. – 1:15 P.M.

Lunch

1:15 P.M. – 2:50 P.M.

Lightning Talks

Concise and engaging, these five TED-inspired talks—and talkers—on diverse topics within animal protection will leave you wanting to hear more!

Confirmed Talks:

• Protecting Animals, Protecting People - Mary Wakeham, Refuge4Pets and Links Group (U.K.) Trustee
• Mitigating AI Safety Risks and Making AI a Positive Force for Animals - Max Taylor, Sentient Futures (fka AI for Animals)
• Improving Animal Welfare in Aquatic Food Systems - Alexandria Beck, Non-Profit Consultant
• Animals in Tourism - Carol Kline, Ph.D., Appalachian State University
• Sanctuaries as Lifetime Care - Liz Tyson, Ph.D., Born Free USA (primate sanctuary)

Introducer:

• Luke Klein, American Anti-Vivisection Society (AAVS) and Alternatives Research and Development Foundation

2:50 P.M. – 3:05 P.M.

Break

3:05 P.M. – 4:20 P.M.

Peer-to-Peer Grantmaking

4:20 P.M. – 4:30 P.M.

Break

4:30 P.M. – 5:30 P.M.

Animal Agriculture—and Being Vegan—in Texas

Several panelists, including Sharon Núñez with Animal Equality and Monica Chen with New Roots Institute, will talk about animal agriculture in Texas, the leading producer of cattle in the United States by a wide margin. In addition to learning about some of their campaigns and programs (e.g., corporate pressure, humane education), attendees will hear about Texas' increasing vegan-friendliness.

Confirmed Speakers:

• Sharon Núñez, Animal Equality
• Monica Chen, New Roots Institute

6:30 P.M. – 7:30 P.M.

Yappy Hour  (Pay Own Way)

Relax and unwind after the first day of sessions at a happy hour for animal lovers in the hotel bar.

7:30 P.M. – 9:30 P.M.

Dine Around Fort Worth (Pay Own Way)

Enjoy a delicious meal with other conference participants at one of Fort Worth's vegan or vegan-friendly restaurants. As Fort Worth's appetite for plant-based diets and food has increased considerably over the past few years, there will be plenty of good choices.